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In The Free Zone today, MMORPG.com columnist Richard Aihoshi floats a rumor that breezed across his desk recently, namely that there is a possibility that a new Ultima MMORPG is being considered. Doubtless, that got your attention so keep reading and then let us know what you think.

What’s more, a couple of scenarios spring to mind that don’t immediately seem outside the realm of possibility. One is that Phenomic, now that it has dipped its toe into Sosarian waters, will shift genres. This wouldn’t be a completely blind leap since SpellForce did incorporate some RPG-like elements, albeit they were on the light side. If parent EA is leaning toward F2P, the studio’s experience in that area also includes a card-based strategy release, BattleForge.

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UO was my first MMORPG. I also think it was the best. It kept my interest for many many years. I've always thought about what i'd like to see if they were to develop a new UO style game. Honestly, I think if they just had a better graphics engine, and the same core gameplay that UO had from 98-99, people would get excited. Even though I will say, the Gameplay is what made UO so great. I think if you had the UO world, with let's say HoN style graphics, it would look good, and play good. I also think they just added way to many features to UO. I quit playing before samurai, and all the other addons. They should just stick to the basics which work. You really don't need to add alot of fluff to win the hearts and minds of your followers.

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The problem is, nothing will ever be like UO. UO was the only game to play back then and everyone from pve players, to pvp, to crafters, to roleplayers, etc etc all logged into the same world. That's what made the world so great, the community so strong, and the game work. The entire MMORPG niche was carved with that game. There will not be a world like that again because all these different types of players have the option of picking a game that suits their playstyle, not creating their own role in a game in a world that they can do anything. Laziness, the large influx of ultra casual players, and people interested in being the super duper hero all the time prevent a world and community like Ultima Online had from forming in the modern world of MMORPGs. Our niche is tainted and won't ever recover.

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Originally posted by Groot

The problem is, nothing will ever be like UO. UO was the only game to play back then and everyone from pve players, to pvp, to crafters, to roleplayers, etc etc all logged into the same world. That's what made the world so great, the community so strong, and the game work. The entire MMORPG niche was carved with that game. There will not be a world like that again because all these different types of players have the option of picking a game that suits their playstyle, not creating their own role in a game in a world that they can do anything. Laziness, the large influx of ultra casual players, and people interested in being the super duper hero all the time prevent a world and community like Ultima Online had from forming in the modern world of MMORPGs. Our niche is tainted and won't ever recover.

Damn gamers and their money...picking games THEY want to play....

That Guild Wars 2 login screen knocked up my wife. Must be the second coming!

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Originally posted by Slampig

Originally posted by Groot

The problem is, nothing will ever be like UO. UO was the only game to play back then and everyone from pve players, to pvp, to crafters, to roleplayers, etc etc all logged into the same world. That's what made the world so great, the community so strong, and the game work. The entire MMORPG niche was carved with that game. There will not be a world like that again because all these different types of players have the option of picking a game that suits their playstyle, not creating their own role in a game in a world that they can do anything. Laziness, the large influx of ultra casual players, and people interested in being the super duper hero all the time prevent a world and community like Ultima Online had from forming in the modern world of MMORPGs. Our niche is tainted and won't ever recover.

Damn gamers and their money...picking games THEY want to play....

He's right in a sense, though. Rather than walking into a world where you can be who you want, though a world that was organic, now all (almost all) worlds are inorganic single-player games and they've evolved into platforms that are exactly alike, where you cant be anything you want.

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Originally posted by Groot

UO was the only game to play back then and everyone from pve players, to pvp, to crafters, to roleplayers, etc etc all logged into the same world. That's what made the world so great, the community so strong, and the game work. The entire MMORPG niche was carved with that game. There will not be a world like that again because all these different types of players have the option of picking a game that suits their playstyle, not creating their own role in a game in a world that they can do anything.

UO is my favorite game of all time. I can truly say that it was some of the best memories of my entire life. And unfortunatly, I have been chasing the virtual dragon ever since. But what Groot says is true, its IMPOSSIBLE for the world in which we played to come back. As Groot said, every type of player was in one world where players were given freedom. Thats what made the game amazing.

There are many options now, PvE players will play game X, PvP players will play game Y, crafters will play game Z. Some people love freedom in game, some people now hate it.. and they can play the game that tells them exactly what to do at all times.

Archeage looks like it may be the closest we have come to what many of us are looking for since UO, but still with all of the options out there... it cant be the same, even if it is technically a better game.

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They had a UO2 and it was absolutely brilliant, the concept, the story, the art... and EA got cold feet fearing it would 'harm der pweshush widdle cash cow UO1' and cancelled it because they are MORONS.

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Yeah, agreeing with a lot of what's said. Ultima Online was the greatest....WAS the greatest. It really isn't the same game anymore and if they made a new one they would just create a new formula for it. There is no way they would go back to the good old days with improved graphics and a better interface. Hell, they won't even do a classic shard with resources they already have.

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Originally posted by EndDream

Originally posted by Groot

UO was the only game to play back then and everyone from pve players, to pvp, to crafters, to roleplayers, etc etc all logged into the same world. That's what made the world so great, the community so strong, and the game work. The entire MMORPG niche was carved with that game. There will not be a world like that again because all these different types of players have the option of picking a game that suits their playstyle, not creating their own role in a game in a world that they can do anything.

UO is my favorite game of all time. I can truly say that it was some of the best memories of my entire life. And unfortunatly, I have been chasing the virtual dragon ever since. But what Groot says is true, its IMPOSSIBLE for the world in which we played to come back. As Groot said, every type of player was in one world where players were given freedom. Thats what made the game amazing.

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The thought of exploring cities like Trinsic and Vesper in a true 3d enviroment gives me chills. Walking inside building and old towns, like re-viisint an old friend, or a dream. Except this time there's more dimensions and details.

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Back then, the target market was thousands of people with an internet connection. Back then, the target were a bunch of gamers, more dedicated to gaming, willing to fork over money per month to play a game. Back then, Ultima was more popular amongst these gamers.

Now, the target market is in the millions. The internet is everywhere, gaming is everywhere. Dedicated gamers are rarer fewer (in percentage) nowadays than they were when UO came out.

The face of gaming (especially online gaming) has changed forever. It is for that reason alone that there will NEVER be a community in a game like UO had. Especially not from an outfit like EA, who are still in the business to make money. There's more money to be had catering to millions instead of thousands.

I still hope Ultima will make a return to MMOG with a new title worthy of its name...not an Evony wannabe.